Matthew 6:1-24 The Diplomat - Revision history

Wakefien: /* Image: */

2022-03-16T15:14:23Z

‎Image:

Wakefien: /* The Instruction */

2022-03-16T15:09:54Z

‎The Instruction

Wakefien at 15:09, 16 March 2022

2022-03-16T15:09:03Z

Wakefien: /* Image: Lasting Impact and Humanitiarian Diplomacy */

2022-03-16T14:32:46Z

‎Image: Lasting Impact and Humanitiarian Diplomacy

Wakefien at 14:27, 16 March 2022

2022-03-16T14:27:34Z

Wakefien: /* Image: */

2022-03-14T20:14:56Z

‎Image:

Wakefien: /* Invest! but only in what matters (19-21). */

2022-03-14T20:11:08Z

‎Invest! but only in what matters (19-21).

Wakefien: /* Maintain your Identity! but don't give yourself away (16-18). */

2022-03-14T20:04:36Z

‎Maintain your Identity! but don't give yourself away (16-18).

Wakefien: /* Communicate! but don't draw attention (5-6). */

2022-03-14T19:54:04Z

‎Communicate! but don't draw attention (5-6).

Wakefien: /* Give! but do so covertly (2-4). */

2022-03-14T19:33:43Z

‎Give! but do so covertly (2-4).

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 Jesus calls on his followers to clean up and look normal.  The reward again is not specifically described but it is certainly another already-not-yet situation. God will reward the one who works to maintain his Christian identity.
-===Image: ===
+===Image: Living in a foreign country===
 The individual who spends a lot of time in a foreign country must work to maintain their identity. My youngest brother lives in Japan. He enjoys trying different foods, experiencing Japanese culture, and living in a different world than where he grew up. However, he is also careful to practice a culture that is distinctly American. They celebrate American holidays, speak English in their home etc. The point is they need to work to maintain their American identity.

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 ===The Instruction===
+====μη βατταλογεω====
 In verse 7 we have the instruction not to babble. The greek word βατταλογεω may be a conjunction of the Greek word λογος together with the word batta which may even be Aramaic. The point is this is vain repetitions, stammering, or many words. When we pray we should converse with God and not just be stammering, repeating, or talking like a crazy person. Jesus outlines critical components of prayer

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 ==Subject: Humble Stewardship==
-==Preview: In Matthew 6:1-19 we are going to see four aspects of our mission: giving, prayer, fasting, and investment. We are also going to see that these aspects of our mission are covert.==
+==Preview: In Matthew 6:1-21 we are going to see four aspects of our mission: giving, prayer, fasting, and investment. We are also going to see that these aspects of our mission are covert.==
 ==Text: Matthew 6==
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 ==Maintain your Identity! but don't give yourself away (16-18).==
 ===The Expectation and Reward===
 What is fasting, what does it do? Fasting was a common practice in the New Testament and involved depriving oneself of something like food. The purpose of a fast is to declare one's dependence on God. Quite literally, one says that they will go without something that their body tells them they need in order to force themselves to depend more fully on God. In this sense, fasting is an identity check. The Christian who is fasting is literally declaring to God that Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

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 Of course, I should say that we also give out of worship to God, not just out of heavenly reward.
-===Image: Lasting Impact and Humanitiarian Diplomacy===
+===Image: Lasting Impact and Humanitarian Diplomacy===
 One of the ways a diplomat can have a profound impact is through humanitarian efforts. A diplomat can provide for people in need in the name of the country for which the diplomat serves. However, in so doing, it is important that the diplomat not draw attention to themselves as an individual. The goal in providing such humanitarian aid is that people will be drawn to appreciate the diplomat's home country. After all, the diplomat will shortly be moving on the goal of the diplomat is to make an impact that outlasts themselves.
 ===MTR: Question: How can you give that Christ might have a lasting impact on the needy?===

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 ==Text: Matthew 6==
-==Setting the Stage: Sermon on the Mount -> Citizenship Manuel, Matthew 6:1 thesis statement of Matthew 6==
+==Setting the Stage: Sermon on the Mount -> Citizenship Manuel, Matthew 6:1 thesis statement of Matthew 6 (Imperative)==
 A diplomat comes into a country with the job of representing his home interests and priorities in the foreign country. The sermon on the mount could largely be summarized as a Citizen Study Guide for anyone belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven. This guide provides the individual with guidance in how such a citizen should live.
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 ==Give! but do so covertly (2-4).==
-===The Expectation===
+===The Expectation and Reward===
 As I have looked at this passage something that has struck me is what the passage does not say. The passage does not say "if by chance you decide to give to the needy." No the passage says when you give to the needy. In fact, the language here has a continuous aspect to it. That is, this is not a one-time thing but a regular thing that you should be doing. There is an expectation that we are giving. A natural question may be on your mind, who are the needy? You might also ask what you should give. I think it is important to note that the passage does not specify.
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 In fact, by the time we finish reading verse 3 we realize the degree to which we are supposed to be covert. We are to act so covertly that our left-hand does not know what our right hand is doing. Obviously, this is idiomatic but it is clear that the phrase indicates we should be giving in absolute secrecy.
 The reason we should not seek fanfare for our gift is simple. We should not be seeking a reward from man in the present. We should be seeking a reward from God. The actual reward itself is not mentioned. Likely this is an "already not-yet" situation. The one who practices righteousness, giving in this case, before God expects that God will give some reward now but a full reward in the future. Practicing righteousness before God is an act of faith. Giving in secret is an act of faith.
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 One of the ways a diplomat can have a profound impact is through humanitarian efforts. A diplomat can provide for people in need in the name of the country for which the diplomat serves. However, in so doing, it is important that the diplomat not draw attention to themselves as an individual. The goal in providing such humanitarian aid is that people will be drawn to appreciate the diplomat's home country. After all, the diplomat will shortly be moving on the goal of the diplomat is to make an impact that outlasts themselves.
-===MTR: How can you give that Christ might have a lasting impact on the needy?===
+===MTR: Question: How can you give that Christ might have a lasting impact on the needy?===
 ==Communicate! but don't draw attention (5-15).==
-===The Expectation===
+===The Expectation and Reward===
 Jesus again has an expectation of prayer. Here, the emphasis is again on not drawing attention. We should be in prayer but we don't need to pray in such a way that we draw attention to ourselves. Prayer is a key means by which we communicate with God.
 In verse 6 we again see an unspecified reward for those who pray in secret. Does this mean we should not have a time of corporate prayer? Absolutely not, but it does mean that our prayer does not need to be a big public show but rather something that we intimately engage in together.
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 ====Asking for Strength to be Faithful====
-The job of a diplomat involves communication. However, located within a government building there is a distinct difference between the phone and the red phone. You can call your wife on the phone, you can call to make an appointment on the phone, but the red phone is reserved for secure communication. The diplomat needs both to report what is happening and ask for supplies. A wise diplomat keeps such communication private as this is not something done for show but rather done for the diplomat themself.
+===MTR: Commit to regular private check-ins with the King. ===
+====A diplomat who cuts off communication is called a tourist====
 A diplomat who cuts off communication is called a tourist, and shortly after that a broke tourist! Don't cut off communication!
 ==Maintain your Identity! but don't give yourself away (16-18).==
-===The Expectation===
+===The Expectation and Reward===
 What is fasting, what does it do? Fasting was a common practice in the New Testament and involved depriving oneself of something like food. The purpose of a fast is to declare one's dependence on God. Quite literally, one says that they will go without something that their body tells them they need in order to force themselves to depend more fully on God. In this sense, fasting is an identity check. The Christian who is fasting is literally declaring to God that Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 The key here is to note that Christians do need to engage in activities that help them maintain their identity as Christ-follower but such activities should not be a public spectacle.
 Jesus calls on his followers to clean up and look normal.  The reward again is not specifically described but it is certainly another already-not-yet situation. God will reward the one who works to maintain his Christian identity.
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 =Conclusion: =
 ==Image: ==
-We are not from this world, but we are in this world. This world teaches us that we need to be visible, that we need to have an impact, that we need to make a name for ourselves. As we steward we must be careful to remember where our loyalties lie. We have been called to give to the needy, but not for our glory. For the one we serve. We have been called ot pray, but not for show. We have been called to maintain our dependence on God but not to flaunt it, we have been called to invest in the Kingdom.
+We are not from this world, but we are in this world. This world teaches us that we need to be visible, that we need to have an impact, that we need to make a name for ourselves. As we steward we must be careful to remember where our loyalties lie. We have been called to give to the needy, but not for our glory. For the one we serve. We have been called to pray, but not for show. We have been called to maintain our dependence on God but not to flaunt it, we have been called to invest in the Kingdom.
 So what does this have to do with Stewardship? Well, we steward resources, while maintaining communication with our identity in heaven, all the while investing all we have in the Kingdom.
 [[Category:Sermons]]

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 ==Invest! but only in what matters (19-21).==
 ===The Warning===
 The prohibition here is a present prohibition that we might translate as "do not ever store up for yourself treasure on earth." Jesus then gives two examples of wealth: expensive clothes and precious metals.
 ===The Command===
-The command is to store up treasure in heaven.
+The command is to store up treasure in heaven. We must naturally ask, how do we store up treasure in heaven? Look back at the previous three points. I think they all connect Here. We have financial treasure, we need to store it in heaven. We have time/mental capacity, we should direct is Godward as in prayer. Finally, we have our very identity, we must identify with heaven.
 The summary is that our heart will be where we store our treasure.
-===Image: ===
+===Image: Invest in the Kingdom===
-===MTR:===
 =Conclusion: =